"Quite interesting to see authentic looking ship that would cross the Atlantic, which I've been across the Atlantic five times, I can't imagine coming all the way over here in a boat of that nature," said Joyce Sanderson, from Clarksville.

The Columbus Foundation said they built the boats back in the 80's. One of the boats first mates said they go all around the country and our waterways to show the public their replicas of the Niña and Pinta.

It's great for everyone, for people to see what life was like 500 years ago," said Stephen Sanger, Pinta First Mate.

"It's pretty cool being on a big boat. I mean, that's the biggest boat I've ever been on," Albertson said.

"Quite an awesome thing to have something like this at Fort Smith and dock here for the general public to see," said William Sanderson, from Clarksville,

And the ships actually sail.

"A lot people say are we towed up the river are we put them on a trailer? But, now, we take the ships by ourselves. We do have diesel power on board, but we go by ourselves everywhere we go," Sanger said.

The exhibit is open just off of Riverside Drive between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The exhibit will be in Fort Smith until November 20th. The group plans to go to Muskogee next.

Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $6 for children.

The boats are located alongside the Fort Smith riverfront across from the Gerber plant.